The 11 best crashes at the 11Foot8 bridge in Durham, NC, recorded by Jürgen Henn (c)
FAQ
What is the location of the 11foot8 bridge?
201 Gregson St in Durham, NC (intersection with Peabody St)
Why is the bridge so low?
This train trestle is about 100 years old. At the time when it was built, there were no standards for minimum clearance.
How often do trucks crash into the bridge?
On average, about once a month a truck gets visibly damaged at the bridge. However, every day I see trucks that trip the overheight warning lights, stop and turn into the side street.
Why don’t they fix it?
Depends on who “they” are and on what “fix” means. The North Carolina Railroad Company owns the train trestle, and their concern is primarily with keeping the trains running and keeping them running safely. So their concern is mainly with reducing the impact of the truck crashes on the actual structure of the train trestle. As far as they are concerned, they solved that problem by installing the crash beam.
The city of Durham has installed “low clearance” signs on each of the 3 blocks leading up to the trestle (Gregson is a one-way road). There is an “overheight when flashing” sign with flashing lights that are triggered by vehicles that are too tall. Several blocks ahead of the trestle the speed limit is 25 MPH. The folks from the city planning department said that they made an effort to prevent accidents.
The North Carolina Dept. of Transportation maintains the road, but not the signage. I suspect they have much bigger problems to deal with statewide than this bridge.
Is the clearance signage accurate?
The clearance signage displays a maximum safe clearance – and yes, in that sense it is accurate. The actual clearance of the crash beam right in front of the trestle is 11 feet 10.8 inches, which gives it a 2.8 inch safety margin. The MUTCD allows for a maximum of 3 inches difference between the signage and the actual clearance.
Metric, please!
Would this situation be better if the signage were metric? Well … take a look at his website: 2m40.com (Warning: French. Metric)
For the convenience of our metric-only audience, here are the measurements we’re talking about in meters:
11foot8 (11 feet 8 inches) = 3.556 meters
11 feet 10.8 inches = 3.627 meters
Safety margin: 7.1 cm (at the crest of the road)
Can’t the road be lowered?
That would be prohibitively expensive because a sewer main runs just a few feet below the road bed. That sewer main also dates back about a hundred years and, again, at the time there were no real standards for minimum clearance for railroad underpasses.
Can’t the bridge be raised?
Here, too, the question is who would want to pay the millions of dollars to raise the tracks a couple of feet? To accomplish this, the grade of the tracks would have to changed on both sides of the trestle, probably for several miles. That would require rebuilding all trestles in Durham. And NS would have to shut down this busy track for months. I don’t think they are interested in that idea.
Is the signeage inadequate?
The signeage is pretty good. Large signs alert driver to the low clearance several blocks before the bridge. Overheight vehicles trip a light switch that turns on flashing warning lights.right at the bridge.
Should there be more signeage?
It’s hard to see how more “low-clearance” signs will significantly improve the situation. But maybe a different kind of signeage would get the driver’s attention.
Could they install a low-clearance bar?
A low clearance bar is a bar suspended by chains ahead of the bridge. Overheight vehicles hit that bar first and the noise alerts the driver to to the problem. I understand that this approach has been successful in other places, but it’s not practical here. There are many overheight trucks that have to be able to drive right up to the bridge and turn onto Peabody St. in order to deliver supplies to several restaurants. Making Peabody St inaccessible from Gregson St would make the restaurant owners and the delivery drivers very unhappy.
Why are they using yellow flashing lights?
Warning lights have to be yellow according to the NC traffic laws.
Are the drivers stupid?
No idea. They certainly seem distracted and the rental truck drivers are also probably inexperienced.
Will insurance cover the damages?
Most truck rental insurance policies specifically exclude overhead damage from coverage. However, a good auto insurance or liability insurance might pick up the tab. Check with your agent. Or even better – don’t hit the bridge!

I notice almost all of the trucks ran red lights or were barely through the yellows. Total idiots.

Jakub Prokopec (1 day ago)

He backed up just to get stuck under that bridge.

Seth Darque (3 days ago)

"This Bridge should have its own TV show!"

kinte1870 (3 days ago)

Ryder truck driver got whiplash.

Chronic Awareness (5 days ago)

there all moving vans normal people rented and didnt even think twice about the bridge smh i cant even say its their fault, pure ignorance

Grail of Truth (6 days ago)

Thats not a bridge. Thats a drive through can opener for trucks.

William Nelson (6 days ago)

It is amazing that some of these drivers don't get roadmapped flying through the wind shield.

Lucas Defalco (9 days ago)

I just LOVE the "steel bar of (rental truck) death!"

IronCladGarrison (10 days ago)

Man. How many of these trucks has Enterprise lost. xD

alec ordway (10 days ago)

Oops.

lucy girl (11 days ago)

If I've learned anything from this channel, it to NEVER EVER drive side by side next to a semi or large truck under an overpass...

Bonnie Jean Crivello (11 days ago)

Maybe time to make the road lower?

10469 (11 days ago)

Oh I got a new video concept, have a camera inside the cab of the Penske trucks so we can see the reaction of the faces when they hit 11.8.

10469 (11 days ago)

No wonder these Penske truck rentals are so expensive to rent.

Sketchy Moof (11 days ago)

A truck driving by with its roof sliced off is probably a regular sight with the locals.
"Woah, look at that truck!"
"The Canopener strikes again..."

canlib (11 days ago)

Here's one solution. Instead of the large flashing sign that hangs saying you must turn, substitute a large LED monitor that plays this video as the truck approaches. Even have speakers directing the soundtrack at the cab. If that doesn't work, take away and rip up their license on the spot. They're a danger to all who drive.

canlib (12 days ago)

This roof peeling video reminds me of a band-aid trick. You don't want to pull it slow- it just prolongs the pain. You rip it off real fast and you don't feel a thing.

Tee Dee (12 days ago)

Me thinks that some enterprising young man and or woman should set up shop & sell tickets to have people come watch all of these hilarious mishaps. Either that or have the local casino take wagers as to how many of these may happen every day/week/month/year. Yes/no/maybe??? 😋

Jay Money (12 days ago)

This city must be really dumb? You would think after how many 5 ton trucks that have hit that bridge, they would just put up a sign saying no 5 ton trucks or tractor/trailers. People in that city are really dumb. Just saying.

Jay Money (12 days ago)

+canlib yeah I know but 5 tons are never shorter than 11 feet. If they are, they must have really small tires.

canlib (11 days ago)

If you look, there are signs all over the place. Besides it's not the weight, it's the height. Some suv's even run 5 tons. These 26' straight trucks are 12 tons or more and most sit between 12 and 13 ft. high. Just sayin'.

Colorme Dubious (12 days ago)

#10: Two Men and 60% of a Truck.

canlib (12 days ago)

And special "Under the bridge damage discount"- today only.

Jeanette Raichel (12 days ago)

I hope they had good insurance. Especially the moving van if it was loaded

canlib (12 days ago)

Commercial insurance doesn't cover negligence, which these trucks are committing.

NieMonD (12 days ago)

People never learn

canlib (12 days ago)

They learn but just don't read. Unless they're looking down texting on their phone. Then they read just fine. Until it happens to them. Then they learn real fast

robert Darren Neilson (12 days ago)

Isn't there an easier way to make roll backs. LoL

canlib (11 days ago)

You get back fat rolls in there too. You just have to eat a hell of alot

God of plumbing (12 days ago)

The plan to eliminate tall trucks is nearing completion...

canlib (12 days ago)

Hey it's fake fake news. Nice

The White Community (13 days ago)

Very interesting. It sounds just as bad in reverse.

Jar Ahed (14 days ago)

Fuck that place.

canlib (12 days ago)

Yeah it's probably a waste of time. Just like you watching these videos on here.

hornsby424 (14 days ago)

The joggers @ 3:23!! I bet those shorts weren't clean afterwards

Ogcorp (15 days ago)

Side splittingly funny

canlib (12 days ago)

More like top splitting. Hah!

Shaik Rafi (15 days ago)

Why can't they change the structure??? Atleast increase the steep of the Road

canlib (12 days ago)

You increase the steep of the road structure. Now how you gonna get underneath when eggs are a doller a dozen and your carrying them on head?

Michael Mccarthy (15 days ago)

Penske, Budget, Ryder, and Enterprise trucks all wrecked..... what about the largest?? Never seen a *U-Haul*
Why?? Training, instruction?

Michael Mccarthy (11 days ago)

+canlib I believe I've watched them all. I must have missed a U-haul...
The videos are seperated by vehicle type.

canlib (12 days ago)

There's Uhauls, you just haven't seen all the videos.

Sergeant Seven (15 days ago)

Why are there so many stupid people driving trucks in this town?

canlib (12 days ago)

Question not drivers of trucks. See with your mind. Do not look down or away with phone while driving like all the rest. Succeed in travels you will.

Timothy Viard (15 days ago)

All My Shit. I disowned my Son and the others are almost.

Da Ro (16 days ago)

I love how all my son's moving jacked up there truck. That crew YOUR FAIRED

Wetrock (16 days ago)

I just read the customers comments on another site about the "All my son moving company" 3:14 .It confirms what we see here: a very badly run company that hires incompetent people. One of their customers said that he regrets having done business with them and he would have been better off hiring two bums to do the job.

canlib (12 days ago)

That's what happens with the kind of people they get when they're only paying 10 dollars an hour or less. Most guys make their money on tips- only if they do a good job tho.

Lee L L Lee Lee Lee Lee Lee Leee L L LLeee (16 days ago)

I keep expecting to hear audience laughter after each crash.

canlib (12 days ago)

That can be arranged. Just show up there and stand in front of the camera.

Avenus112 (16 days ago)

Whelp. I'm fired.

nospam 1950 (16 days ago)

Create your own videos and stop stealing from other folks.

canlib (12 days ago)

Yeah like our President Trump and his plagarizing wife Melania. Ruining this country and what it has stood for over many years and much blood and sacrifice. We should be ashamed. Whoops, sorry. I got off track. LOL!

What About The Groid Attack On The Whities? (17 days ago)

0:45 is perfection, enjoy

Richard Clarke (17 days ago)

this is so addicting !

Brandon Garber (17 days ago)

0:30 the driver also ran a red light

cosgrove notts (17 days ago)

Love rental vehicles

Ab. Sh. (18 days ago)

Even with those precautions and high cost to change it, also fatality may be not expected there as it is a slow passage with intersection. However, they can avoid such resulting damage by directing all heavy trucks to the side way. 1 or 3km plus but safer. Or put a notice out of regular, so it attracts drivers attention, for example: 99% your truck is high, can't pass this bridge. (or it needs a hair cut :D)

Super-patfan39 (18 days ago)

Bridge: what kind of cut do you want.
Truck: just a little shave.
Bridge: got it *Shaves entire top off

DENNIS JACKSON (22 days ago)

Would you like to sell the truck.

canlib (12 days ago)

Yup. Turn it into a flatbed stake truck and haul supplies to the farm.

DENNIS JACKSON (22 days ago)

A truck with a sun roof.

Dennis Ullrich (22 days ago)

can opener

Roger Schmer (23 days ago)

Any trucking company within a twenty-five mile radius. Should be required to tell anyone driving there trucks over eleven feet eight inches too stay away from where this low bridge is located!!!

Tummun (24 days ago)

Non cdl grazers.

Jackie Ward (24 days ago)

Alot of dumbass drivers! 😃

Jerry Dalrymple (25 days ago)

Stopped those intruders dead in their tracks.

Kauai Hawaii (25 days ago)

You shall not pass!!

dredaylarue (26 days ago)

lol what about the one at 4;00 he did the right thing, he turned then he backs up to go up under it any way

canlib (12 days ago)

He went with his gut. Sometimes it's better not to listen to gut but use eyes instead.

Kvyn Gmbyr (26 days ago)

do those DUDS eat much windshield??

canlib (12 days ago)

Only when they're in really small pieces the size of potato chips.

Kvyn Gmbyr (26 days ago)

3:39 all my sons are stupid

Mad Dog (26 days ago)

Geez if it's even close don't you stop and double check!?

canlib (12 days ago)

They're probably thinking (or not) that it's not their truck, they have insurance, who cares? Until they get the repair bill. The insurance they might have doesn't cover negligence which these trucks are doing. Whoops

J Lo (27 days ago)

SARDINES ANYONE???

LamBeau Leeper (27 days ago)

Is this Called Convertable Bridge??? 😂😂😂

canlib (12 days ago)

Bridge Over Troubled Road

Greg Giggie (28 days ago)

why were the lights not functioning on the last video?

canlib (12 days ago)

Good eye. He came from the side street which doesn't have the warning sensor on it like the bridge road does. It's lucky he didn't.do much damage to his truck, especially with that reefer unit on it and lives to fight it another day.

Eric Edgar (28 days ago)

Know your equipment. I laugh my ass off every time one hits. That big yellow bar is made to peel trucks like carrots and keep em from hitting the actual bridge.

omar a (28 days ago)

Now I no where my can opener went

William Stephenson (28 days ago)

Dear lord number 1 deserves it

bigolesackofboogers 0 (28 days ago)

There's a digital sign telling them to turn. 🙄

Go Go (28 days ago)

...on #2.. ALL MY SONS are gonna get a good ass- whoopin' ... 🤨

James Flatt (28 days ago)

Driver at 3:50 takes up over 2 1/2 minutes in real time. Pause at 5:32 and look at the mess of cars going every which way.

James Flatt (28 days ago)

I love the loud beeping sound reverse makes at 3:30. It's like the walk of shame announcing the crash.

Augustus 91 (28 days ago)

1:23 folded up like an' aluminum foil

RD3D (29 days ago)

Moron extravaganza.

Brian Skala (29 days ago)

Why isn't there a mass Civil suit against the city?

canlib (12 days ago)

Can't sue the city unless it's negligent. There's clearance signs and warning lights all over the place. The city has gone above and beyond(lol) to prevent property damage.

John McCarthy (29 days ago)

I realize they're not going to raise the bridge, but they could actually lower the road by digging down.
It might aid in flooding periodically, but no one would be running into the bridge.

canlib (12 days ago)

There's major sewer pipes, water mains, and other infrastructure just below the road bed. The city is not going to pay the hundreds of thousands of dollars to rebuild it for a few dumbshits who can't obey the law to read and follow the signs.

gadgetsage (29 days ago)

He's got up a good head of steam, looks like he could make it all the way through...
And the bridge wins again!

Why don’t they just put an 11’8” warning marker 2 blocks before? Something that swings and won’t get damaged?

Phinneus Prune (1 month ago)

The greatest part about it is they are all rentals

845835ab (1 month ago)

4:11-6:19 let's count the number of summonsable offenses.

Larry David (1 month ago)

If they would just go a little faster they would make it.!

stay quiet (1 month ago)

The last truck takes the prize, started out making the right decision only to reverse and claims victory, what a moron

Vengirni (1 month ago)

Not quite. It's a one way street.

Almeida Gray-Bey (1 month ago)

The sign is doing all the damage.

Doug Dixon (1 month ago)

I hate dumbass drivers that don't pay attention. But then again, the city could easily lower that road two feet below the bridge. They could have that job done in one weekend.

canlib (12 days ago)

Hundreds of thousands, costs too much. Lots of pipe infrastructure just below the surface. Signs warning the truck drivers are way cheaper and should be doing the job.

g r (1 month ago)

It must not be easy to read 4 large yellow signs in this country.

Ted James (1 month ago)

Damn, I figured the truck at 3:52 was smart enough to know he would fit so he turned left. “Hold my beer, we’re gonna back up, turn around and give this a go.” Nope🤣

Sudo Penguin (1 month ago)

Are these people seriously fukng retarded??

r3trogam3boy (1 month ago)

Yanks can't obviously drive

canlib (12 days ago)

Yeah they can drive, just can't read signs. It's only a few bad apples tho.

Godflesh 29 (1 month ago)

A bunch of people and companies need to sue the shit out that town!!!!

Godflesh 29 (11 days ago)

+canlib I know this but the way I see it people aren't supposed to text while driving and they damn sure are supposed to keep their eyes on the road. They can't keep eyes on road when their reading bullshit signs and trying to figure out "dang sign says 11'8"is my truck gonna make it?" And they have 2 seconds to process this info!!!! The city/town should be sued. Put those bridges always at 15 feet!!!

canlib (12 days ago)

Can't sue when they put up low height warning signs all over the place. Problem is the truck drivers who don't read the signs and turn. People in this country need to take personal responsibility more seriously and stop blaming others and suing for their own mistakes.

Ajay Malik (1 month ago)

I never see any such accident in india, indian truck driver are op

canlib (12 days ago)

I don't think you have nearly as many bridges as we have here. Your train/roadway intersections and lots of trucks/bikes in your country causes all kinds of mayhem tho.

Dragon HearthX (1 month ago)

Watching number one... Wait what?

Orion’s Journey (1 month ago)

I think there should be sensors at the top of the truck to let drivers know if their truck is too tall for Bridge. Going further it could even apply the brakes for the drivers.

canlib (12 days ago)

I've got an idea and it's free. Know how high the truck is and read the clearance signs that are posted on every bridge. And how about people start taking some personal responsibility and stop shifting it to something else. Unfortunately for us I see human evolution and survival skills slowing way down now and into the future.

Dave Goodwin (1 month ago)

1:24 truck was 11' 8 1/16"

feelwill1 (1 month ago)

Never gets old

Daniel Coronado (1 month ago)

Rename the bridge to the can opener holy shit hahaha

Burrell1 (1 month ago)

This town must be governed by a bunch of fucking IDIOTS! As opposed to doing something about this, they just add a bunch of cameras!!!???
I would imagine the bigger percentage of those drivers hitting the bridge are not locals.
SMFH 🙄

canlib (12 days ago)

True not locals. But if drivers don't/won't/can't read signs and see flashing lights to turn, as a society who navigates and drives, we're fucked. People got to stop blaming others and take some personal responsibility. Our/your survival depends on it.

Ben T (1 month ago)

What if one of those trucks was packed with coke 😂

eddieg1979 (1 month ago)

Just a little off the top.....
Truck goes under and shaves the top like a sardine can...

Renée duComyn (1 month ago)

Solution to this problem: https://youtu.be/R4ca9xVYJqk

Renée duComyn (7 days ago)

canlib dude... unwavering your shorts... it’s the internet... don’t take it so fucking seriously. Fuck, some people (men).

canlib (11 days ago)

Cool time lapse video. But building the overpass offsite and moving it in place offers no benefit to the 11'8" bridge. This town probably doesn't have 20 million dollars to spend on something like that and probably has 1/100 of the traffic in your example.